The Member representing Onitsha North 1 constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka who was kidnapped last December by gunmen has been found dead after weeks of search by the security agencies.
The decomposing body of Hon. Justice Azuka was discovered at the 2nd Niger Bridge by a combined team led by Police operatives from Abuja.
Gunmen abducted Hon. Azuka on Tuesday, December 24, 2024, while he was returning home along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha.
The lawmaker, who was elected under the platform of the Labour Party (LP), had reclaimed his mandate following an appeal court ruling in November 2023 that removed Hon. Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 State Assembly election in Onitsha North 1 constituency.
According to a security source who chose to remain anonymous, those suspected to be responsible for the abduction were arrested on Wednesday night by the police and they later led operatives to the location where they dumped the remains of the lawmaker.
The source said, “We have arrested the culprits that kidnapped and killed him. They were arrested very late last (Wednesday) night, and they now went and showed the security men where they dumped the corpse.
“It is sad and tragic. What a huge loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. Our condolences and heart-felt sympathy to his family, traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi of Onitsha, Dr Alfred Achebe and the entire people of Onitsha North Constituency 1.
“Two nights ago, on Tuesday, kidnappers had a field day along Awka Road in the centre of Onitsha, firing several gunshots during an attempted abduction”, the source added.
The spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, is yet to release an official statement on the unfolding events.
This is the second Assembly Member that has been murdered by kidnappers since Governor Charles Soludo assumed office in 2021. The Lawmaker representing Soludo’s Aguata constituency in the House of Assembly was brutally murdered two years ago after he was abducted by unknown gunmen.